The Union of Societies has flourished this year, with existing societies going from strength to strength and many new ones being founded, says Union Secretary Sujaan Kochhar (Year 13) UNION OF SOCIETIES AND CLUBS
A t the end of a long winter week in the Michaelmas term of 2023, the College campus seemed deserted. However, in the Masters’ Library, some 30 students remained under the warm glow of lamps, passionately debating as the frosty December breeze beat on the thin windows. The topics in question were war, imperialism, and the role of languages in nation-building, as these students discussed the fate of Western society and the world. While this may seem like a scene out of Dead Poets Society, it is a regular sight at the College’s History Society, and at any of the other 60+ societies in the College’s illustrious Union, as any Alleynian worth their salt should know. The 2023–24 academic year began, with the College celebrating Black History Month. Arthur Torrington CBE (co-founder of the Windrush Foundation) spoke to the African and Caribbean Society, where he gave invaluable insights into the experiences of the original 1027 passengers on the Empire Windrush, and the many thousands of immigrants who would follow from the Caribbean to British shores. These celebrations continued with a collaboration between the African and Caribbean Society and the College’s Law Society, where Henry Cassidy (Year 12) gave a fascinating speech about Olaudah Equiano and the abolitionist movement. Torrington was but one of the many speakers who visited the College to give presentations to societies. The Politics Society welcomed former MP Sam Gyimah, as well as Kirsty Wildgoose, who gave a riveting and hugely informative talk about the civil service apparatus and life as a civil servant. The History Society hosted Charlotte Carty (trustee of the Kohima Education Trust), as well
as hosting student-led debates on topics ranging from 20th-century African liberation movements to 17th- century European concepts of nationality. This year has also seen an explosion of brand-new student-led societies, focused on such intriguing topics as finance, South Asian history and culture, hip hop, and even rollercoasters. As Union Secretary, I was fortunate enough to embark on a trip to Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, in January, alongside Evi Bukata (School Captain) and Mr Ó Siochrú, to attend a Student Leadership Conference, where I met prefects from Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, and numerous other cities in East Asia (and Switzerland). This was a great opportunity to expand Union links and to connect with clubs and societies around the world, opening doors to more collaboration with parallel organisations in other schools. This has already been seen in the Law Society, where students have used digital channels and online networks to connect with other legally minded pupils both at other schools in South London, and as far afield as Australia and South Korea. On my return, the Union was diving headfirst into LGBT History Month, with societies celebrating the history of the queer community and discussing serious issues of discrimination, which are unfortunately still rife in British society. As we look forward to the end of the academic year, it is clear that the Union has seen a great deal of devel- opment, expansion and progress, which we hope will continue for years to come. ◉
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THE ALLEYNIAN 712
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